To Insanity and Back!

Well, what can I say about the Insanity program other than the obvious...it's Insane! I started it on a whim, almost as job research since I've heard so many clients are trying both P90X and Insanity. I was curious...wondering how a fitness instructor would view the program. I am currently in Week 5. The first 4 weeks were intense, the first workout nearly killed me (and I feel like I'm a pretty well conditioned person) and the results have been very good. Let me quickly detail my thoughts:

• I feel the program is "safe" IF you are already in good shape (i.e. can run 3 miles, regularly take cardio classes such as spinning, kickboxing, step and are free of knee and back injuries).
• Shaun T. talks about form constantly...his cueing is excellent and his own technique is flawless. I was VERY impressed with his core cues, safety cues and demonstrations of exercises. This program is seriously NO joke but he does a great job as an instructor making sure you stay as safe as possible.
• You absolutely have to follow the diet plan in order to see the huge results, diet is the most important part of fat loss and you will get muscles but you'll only see them if you are lean!
• Just when it starts to get manageable, the intensity increases and you have to move into the max intervals. I will have to let you know, but I've viewed them and they look completely outrageously ass-kicking!

I did not do a "before" picture but I have one from two weeks and will do one after this week. I hate posting those types of pics but for my own reference I'd like to see the progress. I'll also post my "Fit Test" results once I do the third test as well as measurements. Thanks for following along!

Resurrection!

Yes, it's true, I have decided to resurrect this weak hobbling blog from the depths of the internet. I started it to document my own journey into running and fitness, however, somewhere along the way I lost both the blog and my passion for running. I have decided to run another Half Marathon in October, the Wine & Dine Half at Disney which I'm SUPER excited about. I have not yet started training, because I've been trying out the crazy-ass Insanity workout program (I will detail it in a later blog). I continue to teach Pilates both privately as well as mat class, in addition to Spin and my new class Willpower&Grace. Training for my Half Marathon begins in the sweltering heat of July, which builds character (I hope). For some reason I'm feeling really good about it though, I needed that year (plus) off of serious running to find my inner Kenyan ;). I'm going to start training in the best physical condition of my life, or that's the plan anyway. I think the Insanity Program has given me a great solid base of strength and cardio, in addition to the classes I teach. I'm also finishing up my final segment of a full 600 hour Pilates certification, with Advanced Systems (aka apparatus and mat). In doing so I've gone back to my own serious Pilates training, and it always makes my body feel so much stronger and more capable of taking the pounding that I put through on a daily basis. The only thing I haven't done is get out on the old road bike...although I have definite plans to do so soon!

I am sure I have lost all three of my blog readers...but if anyone stumbles upon this. Welcome and thanks!

Searching for motivation...

I've hit a slump in my running. It all began when I realized they closed out the MORE half marathon this week before I had an opportunity to register. It's never closed before...so I had no indication that it would do so again. I have been training all winter in frigid temps in the hope that I would shatter my current PR. Running is something that does not come easily for me...I'm not a natural endurance runner...I'm fighting nature every time I set out for a long run. I'm built to cycle....maybe run sprints....but the long distance running is a challenge each and every time. I think that is why I do it, because if it came easily to me what fun would that be ;). So here I sit...I did NOT run again today. Matter of fact, I didn't run all week. My disappointment on Tuesday about the race has completely stopped my running in it's proverbial tracks. Seems rather silly, since the main reason I run is to maintain my sanity. The second reason I run is to maintain my fitness level, it's a great complement to the cycling and pilates. However, with this one simple disappointment I'm finding my motivation has taken a holiday. Maybe I just need a good week off from running to reflect. I haven't taken a week off from running in nearly a year, except for once when I was attending a fitness conference out West and was putting in 5 hours a day of workouts anyway. I guess it's time to bust out the most cliche'd cheesy quote of all times...it does seem rather appropriate:

"If you love something, set it free, if it comes back to you it was meant to be...."

Ha ha...not sure I love running....but I think I am in love with how I feel AFTER I run. So it's close enough for quotational purposes. I'm going to set my running free for a few days. Let's see if it comes back to me.

Somebody walked out!

So I really let it bother me on Tuesday when a client walked out of a FREE workshop that I was co-teaching. She simply got her stuff and left. Of course, that's her prerogative, but still I don't think I'd ever do that unless I was feeling ill or injured. It was a free Pilates circuit training class geared towards Butt & Thighs. And by free I mean that we were teaching it FREE of pay so they didn't have to pay extra for this special equipment class. When I walked over to make sure she was feeling ok, she simply said "yeah, this isn't my gig" and turned her back on me walking away. NICE! Do you think students realize that we do this for the love and not the money? That we might take hours on a spinning profile or Pilates workshop? That sometimes we don't get paid? That our bodies are tired and sore? That even if we feel like total garbage, we still smile, motivate and coach? *sigh* OK rant over. I just know that I wouldn't do that to an instructor. Furthermore, what makes this really upsetting, she's a supposedly certified Pilates instructor who happens to not teach it because she thinks that students just can't "get" Pilates. I guess that says it all.

On a good note, I taught the Classical Spin class again that I "borrowed" from a Pedal-On member (Dave). The class loved it, so much so that applause rang out at the end and each one stopped by to thank me and tell me how much they enjoyed it. This after a shaky start...our spin room stereo speakers were broken when I arrived, so we quickly dragged 12 bikes out on to the "turf" section of the facility where there is no control over the GLARING bright lights and weird sound system. I had a mic that kept falling off my tiny head (yes...those things just don't fit me no matter how much I adjust). We had a personal training and client throwing a medicine ball against a trampoline *thump* *thump* *thump* HOW RUDE. Yes...it was an adventure...but the music allowed them to focus, they forgot about the lights, noise, distractions, change of scenery and simply rode the heck out of this profile. I was proud of them. They range in age from 18 - 55+ and let me tell you, they worked hard and left with smiles on their faces. THAT makes it all worthwhile. So yeah, some of them do "get" it, they understand and appreciate. And that, my friends, is why I throw my gym bag in the car each and every day heading to a different gym.

The start of my blog...and what lies ahead

Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere,
Or would it be a waste?
Even If i knew my place should I leave it there?
Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere

~Adele

So...nothing like starting with a cheesy song lyric :). Whether in my running shoes or on my bike...I follow the road and I'm still unsure where it is leading me. I will simply start my blog with this: My passion is Pilates, My challenge is Running, My joy is Cycling. Somewhere in there lies my future, as I continue to educate and move forward relentlessly.

This year I hope to complete another Marathon with a PR, several Half Marathons, a few smaller races for good measure, complete my apparatus training in Pilates, become a Star 2 Spinning Instructor (working my way to Star 3) and remain strong and healthy. Lofty goals for sure...and of course we just never know what surprises life will throw at us. Stay tune....